5 Tips for Throwing a Really Great Party

If you leave your guests to their own devices, your party will be a dud. It's not really meant to be easy for the host—it's work to stir things up and make sure everyone is having a great night. We asked Eric Buterbaugh, a florist, perfumer, and stylish host in Los Angeles, to give us his best tips for throwing the ultimate party. ____

Get together. "I like cramming people into a small space. No one can sneak off and talk to the one person they know. (I once had a birthday party where we were packed in like sardines, and at one point, Clint Eastwood was nose-to-nose with my yoga instructor.) I also ask one or two friends to come early and help other guests get their first drink. It draws everyone in."

Start strong. "If you hit people with a stiff drink when they arrive, they loosen up from the beginning. I usually send out trays of tequila shots. I love buffets, too, where people sit all over the place. It's more relaxed."

Crank up the volume. "Turn the music up two notches too loud—it gets everyone into party mode. I adjust the volume throughout the evening: high for arrivals, down during dinner for chatting, then back up after."

Invite a wild card. "There are certain people who are over-the-top characters—they're insanely funny or you know they'll dance. No party is boring if they're around."

Make them laugh. "Sometimes I have my guests wear funny hats or silly masks for fun, especially if it's a birthday. It's Instagram gold."